[ils] Scattered in many countries. Population: No known L1 users (2015 A. Bickford). No native signers; learned by adults at international gatherings. Ethnic population: No ethnic community (2015 A. Bickford). Status: 9 (Second language only). Alternate Names: Gestuno, IS, International Sign Language. Dialects: Not a full language, but rather a limited pidgin used for cross-linguistic communication, especially at international meetings such as those of the WFD and the Deaflympics. Distinct lexically from all specific sign languages, as it incorporates elements from a variety of different (mostly European) sign languages, and shows considerable variation depending on the location where it is being used and the L1 of the interlocutors. Fingerspelling system similar to French Sign Language [fsl].
Classification: Sign language.